Definition

Reasons for Procedure

A laminectomy is usually done to help take pressure off your spinal cord or a nerve running out from your spinal cord. It is also done to gain access to the spinal cord, bones, and discs that are below the lamina.
Ruptured discs, bony spurs, or other problems can cause narrowing of the canals that the nerves and spinal cord run through. This can irritate the nerve if it gets too narrow. Often, a laminectomy is done along with a disk removal to help make the canal larger and take pressure off the nerve being irritated.

When the spinal cord or other nerves get irritated, they can cause:

Weakness

Numbness

Pain in an arm or leg

Physical therapy and medicine will be tried first. The surgery is done when other treatments have not worked. It is most often done to treat symptoms that keep getting worse.

Possible Complications

Complications are rare, but no procedure is completely free of risk. If you are planning to have a laminectomy, your doctor will review a list of possible complications, which may include:

What to Expect

Prior to Procedure

X-ray—a test that uses radiation to take a picture of structures inside the body, especially bones

MRI scan—a test that uses magnetic waves to make pictures of the inside of the body

Myelogram—a specialized type of x-ray that requires dye to be inserted near the spinal cord and shows if there is pressure on the cord or the nerves

CT scan—a type of x-ray that uses a computer to make pictures of the inside of the body

In the time leading up to your surgery:

If you are overweight, try to
lose weight. This will decrease the amount of stress on your back.

Talk to you doctor about your medicines. You may need to stop taking aspirin or other anti-inflammatory drugs for one week before surgery. You may also need to stop blood-thinning drugs, like
clopidogrel
(Plavix) or
warfarin
(Coumadin).

Anesthesia

General anesthesia—blocks pain and keeps you asleep during the surgery; given through an IV in your hand or arm

Spinal anesthesia—numbs the area from the chest down to the legs; given as an injection in your back

Description of the Procedure

If the surgery is done
with minimally invasive techniques, you will only need a few small incisions. The doctor will insert a scope and small instruments into these incisions. The lamina will then be removed using a drill or other tools. Once the lamina is removed, the doctor can inspect the spinal cord and discs that were hidden under the lamina.

In some cases, the doctor will do an open surgery. This involves making a larger cut in the skin over the area in the back that needs attention.

The disc often needs to be removed as well to take pressure off the spinal cord.
If it is not a disc problem, the doctor will try to fix the other problems causing the nerve irritation. In rare cases, the doctor may do a
spinal fusion. A spinal fusion will involve joining two vertebrae. Lastly, the incision will be closed with stitches or staples.

Laminectomy or laminotomy. North American Spine Society website. Available at:
http://www.spine.org/Pages/ConsumerHealth/SpineConditionsAndTreatments/CommonProblemsCorrectiveActions/CommonSurgicalProcedures/LaminectomyorLaminotomy.aspx. Accessed June 13, 2008.

Revision Information

This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.

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